Database Administrator

The opportunity

We are seeking an experienced database administrator who will be responsible for taking ownership and managing and supporting the Firm’s SQL databases, ensuring performance, availability and security, working under the direction of the Senior Database Administrator. The role will include the development of new technical solutions as demanded by the technical and business strategies. Provide high level database administration expertise to the Application Development, Application Support, Finance Systems, Data Architecture and Insights and Infrasutructre Teams. Provide technical support to other busines services teams such as Accounts and Human Resources. Responsibility should also be taken for the review, recommendation and implementation of third party products.

The team

Bird & Bird's Technology Team mission is to support the strong technology focus of the Firm, provide modern technology to support the business and creative solutions for our Clients.

In London, the team comprises 50 technology staff covering a broad range of technologies and specialisms including business architecture, business solutions, finance systems, project and programme management, modern infrastructure and they are all primarily focused on international projects working alongside colleagues in our 32 offices. Whether it's analysing new solutions, driving innovation, developing client solutions or providing a first class, high availability infrastructure and support we are a diverse, energised group focused on service and contributing to both the internal and external use of technologies. We work extensively across the network and seek candidates who are keen to engage internationally and make wider contributions both internally and externally than just IT service and delivery.

What you'll do

• Responsible for ensuring availability and performance of the databases that the support the Firms systems.
• Ensure that the associated hardware resources allocated to the databases are constantly measured to ensure high availability and optimum performance.
• To proactively monitor the database systems to ensure secure services with minimum downtime.
• Review trend analysis to enable informed decisions regarding resource management.
• Promote data consistency and standardization.
• Assist project teams with applying coding standards to Stored Procedures, SSIS Packages and scripts and assist in resolving integration issues.
• Maintain a backup and recovery strategy for database information and restore the database as required.
• Develop database support utilities, scripts and tools.
• Plan for future storage capacity requirements for the server and databases.
• Responsible for improvement and maintenance of the databases to include rollout and upgrades.
• Review and recommend new technologies and best practices to ensure consistent and stable databases and servers.
• Responsible for implementation and release of database changes as submitted through change control.
• Work with all the teams to provide a proactive and effective coordinated support service.

About you

Essential

• Proven SQL 2019/2022 database administration experience.
• Experience of managing multiple SQL RDBMS on large enterprise systems.
• Practical experience in monitoring and tuning a database to provide a high availability service.
• Excellent SQL Server 2019/2022 in a Windows 2022/2025 environment, with experience in T-SQL including Views, Stored Procedures, etc.
• Sound knowledge of SQL Reporting Services, PowerBI, SSIS & SSAS.
• Extensive knowledge of SQL Availability groups (including contained availability groups).
• Extensive knowledge of SQL features including query store, SSIS Catalog, encryption and enhanced security.
• Ability to develop SSIS packages using Visual Studio.
• Proven experience developing data extraction processes to external SFTP sites.
• Good knowledge of Windows, Windows Clustering and Active Directory.
• Any other RDBMS experience or Azure
• Experience of SQL monitoring tools such as Redgate.
• Knowledge or experience of legal solutions such as iManage, Aderant, IntApp..
• Experience of working in a global law firm.

The main responsibilities of this role are outlined above; however, this description is not exhaustive, and the job holder may be required to undertake additional duties from time to time to ensure the smooth running of the department. The role may require some working outside our normal working hours of 9:30am- 5:30pm.